After a day of walking almost 22 kilometers, a clean river in which to soak one's feet is a welcome sight. There were only a few other people and two dogs doing the same thing when I arrived in Estella, so I felt the river was mine. The river in Estella seemed to have standing room only, as there weren't many rocks to sit and relax on. Zubiri is the best foot-soaking river along the Camino de Santiago. The weather in late August was perfect for perching on one of the copious rocks for a foot bath, and even for swimming for those who packed a swimsuit into their minimalist Camino backpa ..read more

  Though the walk from Fromista to Carrion de los Condes didn't have as many kilometers as other days on the Camino de Santiago, the walk seemed to take forever in the rain. Finally, toward the end, the clouds broke and allowed the sun to shine through. There was some foreshadowing of this earlier in the day when a rainbow appeared. Oil on 16" x 20" stretched Linen. Available on my website ..read more

  The landscape varies a lot between Castrojeriz and Fromista along the Camino de Santiago in Spain. You start by walking up a huge hill that looks across a valley to the castle that seems to be at the same height. Then, you descend the hill toward a stark, yellow valley. I felt extra fortunate to see dramatic clouds that added dimension to the minimalist landscape. Later, some trees and villages appear, as depicted in this painting. Fromista has a quaint square and churches that keep one from resting even after walking 19 kilometers. Oil on 16" x 20" stretched linen.  Aviailable ..read more

  This restaurant worker in Spain seems to be ignoring her work while awaiting a text from someone important. It can be difficult to concentrate when you just want to hear from someone. But, the potatoes need to be peeled and the countertops need to be cleaned, so it may be time to get back to work. ;) Oil on 18"h x 14"w stretched canvas.  Available at UGallery.com ..read more

  This oil painting of my cat Alfred sniffing sunflowers was supposed to be 8" x 8" but I kind of like the unfinished, sketchy paint edges, so I may make it bigger. Like Stella, he appreciates plants. Like the other paintings in my "Cat Week" or now, "Cat Fortnight" series, 25% of the sale price will help local cats in need. If you are purchasing from my website, note that this is the correct image. Squarespace will not allow me to post anything other than portrait format.  Available on my website ..read more

  I know, it was supposed to be cat week, and then that turned into cat fortnight. But I became preoccupied with events and commissions, so I took this little intermission to post the newest painting I recently sent to Roux & Cyr International Fine Art Gallery in Portland, Maine. This Boston oyster bar is frequented by tourists and locals alike. There is no meal more refreshing in the summer than oysters and white wine or beer. Oil on 11" x 14" stretched linen. Available at Roux & Cyr International Fine Art Gallery ..read more

  I can't remember the name of this town, unfortunately, but it had a cheerful cafe street. I plan to paint more of its cafes soon. When I snapped the reference photo for this painting, I had just left a lunch establishment that was part of a small resort. People were roasting red peppers over an open fire. Resident Siamese cats watched them work while they relaxed in the shade. It was probably the most expensive lunch I had in northern Spain, but the rustic flavors of both the food and the coffee were worth the indulgence. It gave me energy for the next 10k of hiking. Oil on 14" x 11" s ..read more

  A painting of some of the colorful boats and colorful water of San Sebastian, Spain. Oil on 18" x 24" stretched canvas.  Available at UGallery.com ..read more

  Tiny the cat watching birds through the window is the equivalent of a sports fanatic watching football on TV. She thinks she can get the birds even though a window separates her from them. Her entertainment entertains me. Oil on 8" x 8" stretched linen. 25% of the painting sale price will go toward helping local feral cats.  Available on my website ..read more

  I'm not sure where this is but it is somewhere on the Camino Frances. I loved the varied terrain and mix of complementary colors. The cool blue of the houses' shadow sides and the blue sky provided extra layers of contrast. The tomato towers broke up the horizontal lines in the composition.  Many crops were growing in Spain when I walked last September. In addition to intentionally planted farms and vineyards, many sources of treats grew voluntarily beside the path. I didn't pick anything if it appeared to be part of anyone's property, but in the middle of nowhere, other pilgrims ..read more